Brunswick is proud to recognize Michael and Ellen Poelking, owners of Poelking Marian Lanes bowling center in Marian, Ohio, as the winner of the 2013 Brunswick Center of Excellence Award for Modernization. Each year, Brunswick recognizes a bowling-based entertainment center that illustrates an exemplary blend of cutting-edge planning and design, business-critical general management and operations, effective marketing and sales strategies, and superior customer service.

The crowning touch here is Insiders, a gorgeous new 8-lane boutique set off from the rest of the center and booked nearly solid with private parties since it opened in January 2013. Ellen Poelking, Michael’s wife and GM of Marian Lanes, came up with the name, and the couple dedicated Insiders to Michael’s father, Jerry, who built the center in 1976. The fireplace is flanked by two bookshelves that display Jerry Poelking’s photo and bowling memorabilia. “I lost him at the early age of 66, and can only hope he can see what we’ve done,” Michael says.

Michael Poelking – a third-generation bowling center kingpin – knows the importance of reimaging to satisfy customers. “My father taught me as a young man that it’s vital to keep modern and reinvest in your business,” he said. Marian Lanes is one of four centers owned by the Poelkings.

Visiting Marian Lanes leaves no doubt that Jerry would be incredibly proud. The bustling 51-lane center exemplifies the Poelking motto of “Always Clean – Always Friendly – Always Fun,” now more than ever. “Without Brunswick, this project does not happen on this scale,” Michael adds.

Brunswick partners with customers like the Poelkings to help expand their business model to include upscale bowling centers and other unique places to bowl. “The work they put into their center truly distinguishes Poelking Marian Lanes from the thousands of centers across North America as one of the premier bowling venues,” says Kurt Harz, vice president of sales for Brunswick Bowling Products. “The greater Dayton market should be equally excited to have a premier entertainment option – what a great venue for the community.”